Cloud of Witnesses

The "Cloud of Witnesses" mural was painted in 2012 by Jon McDonald, an artist at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. The "witnesses"
featured in the clouds comprise a small but diverse collection of individuals who
sacrificed their lives during the Civil Rights Era. In their own, unique ways, these
individuals paid the ultimate price on the long, difficult path to making the United
States a more democratic and egalitarian society. As we delve into the stories behind
each of the individuals and their untimely deaths, we uncover the realities of how
the brutal nature of Jim Crow America touched all of society: from innocent children
to active civil rights leaders and demonstrators; from the victims and their families
to the perpetrators of these horrific crimes and the society that produced, encouraged,
and protected the killers; from those who experienced the realities of Jim Crow firsthand
to our society that continues to grapple with the effects and influence of Jim Crow
today.

In the coming months, we will be releasing features that highlight the stories and
impacts of each of the witnesses. These features will include both written accounts
and videos. As the features are made available, you can click on the name or image
of an individual and you will be taken to a page dedicated to him/her. Please continue
to come back to learn about all of the witnesses and how their sacrifices helped to
shape society.